Chocolate mousse log

Make this relaxing, flavour-filled dessert a part of your Christmas banquet.

Super Food Ideas

Photography by Cath Muscat

• Ingredients

• 180g dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 eggs, separated
• 3/4 cup thickened cream
• 2 tablespoons instant espresso coffee powder
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 250g packet chocolate chip cookies
• 250g strawberries, halved
• Icing sugar mixture, to serve

• Method

1. Step 1
   Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Place bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure bowl doesn't touch water. Heat, stirring occasionally with a metal spoon, for 3 to 4 minutes or until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Add egg yolks. Stir until smooth.
2. Step 2
   Using an electric mixture, beat cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold half the cream into chocolate mixture until smooth. Fold in remaining cream.
3. Step 3
   Wash and dry beaters and bowl. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold into chocolate mixture. Cover. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until just firm.
4. Step 4
   Place coffee and boiling water in a heatproof bowl. Stir to dissolve coffee. Cool.
5. Step 5
   Dip top half of biscuits into coffee mixture. Sandwich biscuits with chocolate mixture on a plate to form a log shape. Spread log with remaining chocolate mixture, swirling chocolate to give a rough texture. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight (see note).
6. Step 6
   Top with strawberries. Dust with icing sugar. Serve.
   Super Food Ideas - December 2010 , Page 34
   Recipe by Emma Braz